Beck Center to Raffle a Great Lakes Adventure

Bored with traditional vacations?

The is offering an alternative. But you’ve got to have an adventurous spirit — and you’ve got to be lucky.

In an effort to raise money for arts and education programming, the Beck is offering a raffle for a voyage on a Great Lakes freighter.

The tickets — to be drawn at an open house celebration event on May 15 — cost $150.

Officials at the Beck Center said the trip is priceless.

The winner can take as many as five guests on a tour of the Great Lakes aboard one of the two Tregurtha iron ore freighters. They will be accommodated in three state rooms, each with a private bath.

Guest can expect to eat home-cooked meals in the officer’s mess; take a tour of the pilot-house and engine room; stroll the deck; enjoy the scenery; and eat like royalty. But to be treated like a king or queen of the Great Lakes, you’ve got to be at least 18 years old.

The trip was donated by Richfield-based Interlake Steamship Company.

“It’s a trip you can’t buy,” said Sally Weakley, director of development for the Beck Center. “This rare opportunity is only available to raffle winners.”

The cruise is set for the 2011 sailing season, from June to September, but the date will be worked out between the winner and skipper. The trip is expected to last four to six days, and could run longer if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

“These trips really are really amazing,” Weakley said. “We’re really thrilled to have this trip to raffle.”

While raffle tickets are $150 each, even those who don’t win the trip will still be winners. All raffle proceeds will help sustain the Beck’s mission of providing high-quality and accessible arts education programs and theater productions to the community.

Tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis and tickets are expected to sell out quickly. Weakley said 55 tickets have already been sold. The deadline is May 1.

“Since we’re only selling 150 tickets, it’s really exciting,” she said. “You’ve got a pretty big shot at winning.”

For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the Beck’s website or call 216-521-2540 ext. 19.

“For anyone who lives here, you always see these freighters on the lake,” Weakley said. “It really is a fascinating trip. We’re really grateful to the Interlake Steamship Company for donating this to us.”